Microsoft dishes up test version of new file system

Microsoft surprised developers on Monday by releasing a test version of a new Windows file system. The company made the test version of the system, called WinFS, available to Microsoft Developer Network subscribers.

The software giant had originally planned to release WinFS - which it said would make for better desktop file searching - as part of the next version of Windows, once called Longhorn but now known as Vista. However, roughly a year ago, Microsoft announced it was pulling WinFS out of Longhorn in order to let the OS ship in 2006. Of WinFS, the company said only that it would be in beta form by the time Longhorn shipped.

That left many with the impression that a test version of the file system would not come until next year. However, a WinFS developer said he would not consider the long-delayed system to be early.

Quentin Clark, director of program management for the new file system, said: "I would certainly not characterise WinFS as being ahead of schedule."

Operating systems such as Linux, Unix, Windows and others use file systems to organise and store information. File systems, such as Windows' current NTFS, make it possible for people and computer programs to find documents, photos and other data.

WinFS was originally touted as a system that would enable better desktop-file searching in Longhorn. Microsoft is now focusing on the benefits of it as a means for desktop applications to harness information stored in a common repository. For example, rather than entering shipping information in an ecommerce application, with WinFS, someone could simply click on his or her own card in a central address book and the information would be transferred to the appropriate place, Clark said.

In a note to developers on MSDN, Microsoft called WinFS a tool that makes it easier to find information stored on both local PCs and across networks.

The test version is designed to let developers start getting a sense of how the file system will work and start thinking about ways they could use the common repository capability.

Clark said: "We really believe our audience is anyone that builds applications on the desktop."

Clark did not say when a final version of the file system would ship but said "multiple betas" are planned. No additional releases are planned for this year, he said, but several are expected next year, possibly including a new beta version or another type of release - known as a Community Technology Preview.

When it does ship in final form, Clark said WinFS is likely to be an add-on to Windows, much as Microsoft ships its .NET Framework today. Developers can write programs that require .NET but either individual users have to download the necessary framework code or businesses can install it when they give their machines to workers. Clark also said it is a possibility that some computer makers might decide to offer WinFS preinstalled on new PCs.

The beta version released on Monday works with Windows XP. Both Home and Professional editions are officially supported. It should also work on Tablet PC and Media Center editions of the OS but Microsoft has done limited testing of WinFS with those flavours.

Clark said Microsoft chose to offer WinFS as an add-on to XP because that's the version of Windows used by most developers. One of the next goals, Clark said, is to get WinFS up and running on Vista but he said the company did not want to hold back the beta just to add Vista support.

He said: "We thought we were at a good point to take a snapshot, stabilise the bits and release a beta", adding that the feedback to this test version will determine the next steps for WinFS.

Mike Ricciuti writes for CNET News.com